Attendees filled the beautiful grandstand to watch trotting-style racing, but not for very long. July 23, 2020 - Nearly three years after the beloved Trotting Park was reduced to a pile of rubble, still nothing has been done with the site. [35] Roles Inn of America company in the late 1990s. Phoenix Trotting Park could be reduced to ashes if Arizona's long-shuttered Standardbred track is sold. Trotting Park in escrow. Over the next five decades, the decaying building and its unique architecture became an icon to many, and an eyesore to others. The city just needs to work on some piping and fix a few exterior lights first. It's unlikely, however, that the trotting park in the desert will ever gain new life. The inner walls were stripped down to skeletons, but in some places you could get a sense of where the walls and windows had been. Some require great effort to seek out, but others are hiding right under our noses in plain sight. GOODYEAR, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Dozens of people gathered early this morning to surround the . While commonly used today, this method of construction was considered cutting-edge in the 1960s. The Phoenix Trotting Park opened in 1965 for horse racing, but it was only open for two seasons before it was closed and abandoned. West Valley View. June 17, 2018 - With the Phoenix Trotting Park now demolished, the land has been listed again with Colliers, this time for $24 million. The quality is comparable to that of a larger DSLR, but it's nice and compact, so I don't have to worry about carrying around cumbersome equipment while I'm exploring. Arizona had become a state just 48 years prior, and the capitol city of Phoenix was quite small with a population of just 439,170 people. It's sad to hear they're demolishing it, but I guess it was only a matter of time. Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on February 6, 2023 A developer is seeking an indefinite extension for a 224-acre mixed-use business and retail center that's slated for the former Phoenix Trotting Park property along Interstate 10 and the Loop 303 in Goodyear. Phoenix Trotting Park was a dream of three horsemen from the U.S. East Coast --. Next week's post will be about a couple of neat old abandoned houses in Dateland, AZ that I explored later that day. There is nothing imminent other than the fact that its being taken down.. Good luck in the Dateland area. 30 1068 N Cotton Ln Goodyear AZ. Phoenix Trotting Park was built twenty miles from Downtown Phoenix and only accessible by way of dirt roads, making it a chore to get to. In this series, the nation's top 2-year-old and 3-year-old trotters and pacers compete. Construction of the grandstand was a joint venture between Gilbert & Dolan Enterprises and E.L. Farmer Construction Co., Inc. [24]. Recent news reports about Trotting Park have brought a lot of focus to it, Smith said. Massive Goodyear projects approved. Have added a whole new section of almost 50 images including vintage advertisements and rare construction photos to the Photo Gallery page. January 12, 2016 - The Trotting Park celebrates its 51st year today. LoopNet.com. The track changed hands again in 1990 when it was purchased by the Erie County Agricultural Society, who continues to operate it to this day. Night Vision: The Art of Urban Exploration by Troy Paiva. Most of my explorations have been in the Rust Belt and the Southwest, but I desperately want to take a trip through the rest of the southern states. Winds light and variable. Discovery Inc. is suing Paramount Global, saying its competitor aired new episodes of the popular animated comedy series "South Park" after Warner paid for exclusive rights. My grandmother worked there when it first opened it was such a progressive and beautiful concept. Plant your own desert garden with a starter cactus from this indoor-outdoor gift shop. Thanks, Mike! Hard times forced him to sell the Buffalo Raceway to the Sportservice Corporation that same year.[8]. Beck said shed like the space to be used to build something for kids, like a waterpark, while Bowland is hopeful it will generate more business in Goodyear. Are there any other abandoned places in Arizona that stick out like a sore thumb? 0:54. SEP 27, 2017 - AZCENTRAL - What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? SEP 27, 2017 - AZFAMILY - Facebook Live Stream of trotting park demolition This website is not affiliated with the owners of the Trotting Park in any way, and I genuinely wish they would find a way to preserve or re-use the building instead of tearing it down. Between Phoenix and Lewis there was a latent, but unspoken and wary sympathy. However you want to describe the Phoenix Trotting Park it can be yours for $16.5 million. 5041 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix . Welcome to the Desert Botanical Garden Gift Shop, we have the best gifts & souvenirs in Phoenix! AIA Press. West Valley View. Latest on COVID-19 in Arizona | COVID-19 cases and deaths. The elder James J. Dunnigan was the one who built the Phoenix Trotting Park, and he passed away in 1983. Check it out on the videos page. Therefore, you won't be surprised by its current spooky state. YouTube. The park was demolished in 2017. Ground Floor - Bar, Snack Stand, Betting Windows, Food Prep areas June 30, 2017 - Huge photo update! Follow us @PHXTrottingPark. 2. Phoenix itself was built on the ruins of a Native American civilization and thus earned its name after the mythical bird of rebirth. Because of its highly visible location from the Interstate highway, the Trotting Park had unfortunately become an attractive nuisance for vandals, scrappers, and graffiti artists. [2] He died in December 1965 at the age of 82.[3]. Goodyear Ballpark, the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, is just a few miles away. 13 Phoenix, Arizona Demographics. Behind came Phoenix, like a shadow, with his yellowish, high-boned face still looking sick. (25 Jan 1999). It's an obscure reference to a cartoon short by Don Hertzfeldt I'd seen years ago. The picture quality is amazing and looking for a new camera. No longer a roadside eyesore (or a glorious place for exploration, depending on who you ask), all that remains of a place that once provided lively entertainment are memories. (1983). [4] However, a variety of factors led to the inevitable closing of the track. Therefore, the published date is the earliest known capture that could be located using the Wayback Machine. I'd read rumors of a squatter settlement in the basement and was determined to find out if there was any truth to it. Forgotten. Phoenix Trotting Park was a fantasy track when it opened in 1965, but the fantasy became a nightmare when it ceased operations in December of 1966, less than two years after its inaugural card. For decades, the horse track,. Theyre all fairly interesting, thats for sure! Stay tuned for a big photo update coming soon! Slowly but surely, it succumbed to the elements, blending in with the desert surroundings a little bit more each day. He also served as president pro tempore of the New York State Senate from 1933 through 1938.[1]. It opened in 1965 and was run for about two and a half seasons. The shell of the space-age grandstand has survived for a half-century in the dry Arizona climate although the decay is obvious even from a distance. Hi Jim, I too have enjoyed your photography work, you have a great eye and the information you provide on the subject matter. The 5/8-mile track was the first in North America to have spiral turns to help horses get through the curves better, but the fastest mile of the evening was 2:10.4 by Santa Raider. If you have spotted an error or omission, please let us know! 29 Gullickson, Glenn. Nice story! View the listing here: Phoenix Trotting Park by Colliers International (link no longer valid). 3 John J. Dunnigan Is Dead at 82. One of the proprietors and visionaries behind the park was James Dunnigan, the renowned New York horse racing financier. Phoenix was terribly impressed by St. Mawr, he could not leave off staring at him. September 27, 2017 - Dear friends, visitors, and fans of the Phoenix Trotting Park - Today I am saddened to report that the owners have begun demolishing this truly unique and iconic structure. The park is also located about 20 miles outside of Phoenix and was built long before any major roads made the area easily accessible to those in the city or its suburbs.[5]. This included hosting the "Grand Circuit" from March 15-20, 1965. Phoenix Trotting Park 17758 W Roosevelt St, Goodyear, AZ 85338 This horse track lasted for only two seasons before permanent abandonment. 17 Phoenix Trots Out A $9 Million Track With Spiral Curves. Only the 55.47 acre "pit parcel" remains for sale at this time. Harness Racing Update. [19] The park received a great deal of press coverage and was featured in Sports Illustrated magazine and in The New York Times. "The trotting park might have been a mirage from another age or another world.". The purpose of this website is to preserve the Trotting Park's history, to tell the story of the owner's failed dream, and to educate the curious about this unusual racetrack and its troubled past. Two late Hall of Famers, Norman Woolworth and Delvin Miller, were among those who helped bankroll the new venture. (Here's a video I made about Phoenix Trotting Park, which includes additional info and pictures not included in this blog entry:), the historic home of Buffalo Bill Codyand a melting adobe house in the middle of the Arizona desert, https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JimSullivanPlacesThatWere/posts. 35 Padgett, Mike. I haven't been to Corn Springs, but I may have to check it out next time I'm in the area. (Nov 1964). The buyers and the sale price have not yet been disclosed. Thanks for the tip! Weird Arizona by Wesley Treat, Mark Moran, Mark Sceurman. (3 Jun 1934). West Valley View photo by Casey Pritchard. Read full article: Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step. Built 20 years before the freeway, the futuristic structure has sat for more than half a century, like a spaceship that landed in the middle of the desert, evoking mystified stares of passing motorists. Before the structure could be knocked down, crews were on site of the. However, a 1964 New York Times article and a 1965 Sports Illustrated article both credit the building's design to Ivone Grasetto, also of Padua, Italy. The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park. The Trotting Park has been listed for sale! For its time, it was state of the art. In 1995, Grand Canyon University sold the 224-acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $2 million. In the silence I tried to imagine what the place alive and filled with thousands of cheering spectators. It was the Phoenix Trotting Park, an abandoned harness horse racing track from the mid-1960s that ran for just two seasons before going bankrupt. (17 May 2017). It mostly sat idle. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. Phoenix Trotting Park is permanently closed In 2017 the Trotting Park has been demolished. (27 Dec 1964). What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? "too damn far out" at least 20 miles from the center of Phoenix and that, at the time, there weren't any major roads connecting Phoenix and the track. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. (14 Dec 1966). According to a new article published in the West Valley View, the Phoenix Trotting Park is in escrow. Phoenix Trotting Park History. Sports Illustrated Magazine. The Notre Dame Scholastic, Vol. July 9, 2017 - FOX 10 Phoenix: Goodyear Police Asking People to Stay Away from Trotting Park. The pre-cast pieces have a compressive strength of 6000-psi, approximately three times the normal strength of concrete used in more conventional buildings. I never got the guts to go past the gate, though.. She broke her arm and lost her shoes its always been something kids come and (do), of course its trespassing, but they come and check it out. Hello and thanks for stopping by! Revenue failed to compensate for the difference. There has been a lot of trespassing on the property, active trespassing, and the numbers are pretty staggering, Smith said. Arizona Business Gazette. January 12, 2016 - The Trotting Park was the subject of a major story today in the Arizona Republic. GOODYEAR, Ariz It was built 50 years too soon. its my all time favorite place that I have explored. Mezzanine Floor - Men's and Women's Bathrooms, Stairwell Access White Tank Mountains Petroglyphs RobertPakko (Atlas Obscura User) Through the winding Waterfall Canyon Trail, a few drawings stand out along the rocks. (19 Jan 1934). And did you know there are actual Arizona ghost towns within Maricopa county? Check out Long-vacant Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear is in escrow, could be demolished by Adrian Hedden. Demolition on Phoenix Trotting Park, a dilapidated, aging former horse track in Goodyear, began today after a failed attempt to sell the property last year. The track sat idle after racing closed, but some horses trained there decades later. Repeated calls to officials at the City of Goodyear were not returned. awesome work! His son of the same name recently passed away on August 22, 2016 in Phoenix. The University of Notre Dame. I really wish somebody could have done something with it instead of just tearing it down, he said. I'd never seen something so gigantic yet totally abandoned. Added some more info to the History page, new homepage layout with the 4 featured items, and I fixed the Navigation so that it actually works on smartphones now! Trotting Park was demolished for safety reasons, said Chaz Smith, senior vice president of Colliers International, which represents the Roles family and Citrus Commerce Centre LLC, the owners of the property. Be sure to stay out of view of the trailer park to the south. One example of this shifting interest can arguably be seen in the abandoned horse race track known . Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie. Many of these towns simply no longer exist there's nothing left (perhaps other than a cemetery), and no evidence of their existence other than records remain. (Feb 1967). I probably sounded like a raving lunatic, but I was too excited to care. Costing around $10 million (or $96,132,258 million today), the facility was state of the art for its time, and an exuberant crowd of 12,000 fans filled the stands on opening day. The Phoenix Trotting Park wasnt the only spooky abandoned spot in Arizona; other famous (or perhaps infamous) abandoned places in Arizona are places like: 3. Unfortunately for James J., he had borrowed heavily against the Buffalo Raceway in order to build the Phoenix Trotting Park, which closed indefinitely in 1966. I have compiled what I believe to be the most in-depth and complete history of the Phoenix Trotting Park and all of the people involved with it. The Phoenix Gazette, G3. If you have race results for the Phoenix Trotting Park (a list of horses, drivers, teams and race results), such as an old magazine, please do get in touch. (PDF). Between the unbearable desert heat, issues with flash flooding, and remote location, it was only 20 minutes outside of Phoenix - there were no major roads connecting the city to its suburbs at the time, which was an eventually death knell for the racetrack. (29 Apr 1940). Advertisements It is too bad that nobody thought about customers would have to travel 20 miles by dirt road to get there. Major demolition of the concrete structure began on Sept. 27 and it will take a few months to remove the 20,000 tons of rubble. For $16.5 Million, You Could Own the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear The Arizona Republic, 2016; Man Injured in Fall at Goodyear Trotting Park West Valley View, 2012; The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park Harness Racing Update, 2014; Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely Harness Horse Magazine, 1966 Senator John J. Dunnigan on Feb. 22, 1934, Trotters at the Buffalo Raceway on May 25, 1974, Re-creation of the Phoenix Trotting Park logo, Phoenix Trotting Park under construction in 1964. Watch as the abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear, Arizona is brought to the ground with one of the largest demolition machines in the world. Temp: 33. Its just different.. Sitemap | Privacy Policy |   Contact Us, Valley 101 Explores the History of the Phoenix Trotting Park, Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step, Demolition Under Way on Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park, Demolition of massive Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear begins. (29 Dec 2020). Get more stories delivered right to your email. Welcome to Ghost Towns of Arizona and Surrounding States A ghost town is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or city. 31 Marinescu, Adriana. It will take approximately three months to move the estimated 20,000 tons of rubble away from the site. Racing Beneath The Peaks. A West Valley landmark has been reduced to rubble. You cannot visit it as there is nothing left to see of this troubled mid-century horse racing facility. Phoenix Trotting Park is on the market for $16.5 million. Thank you, Tausha! Mechanical Mezzanine Level - Stairwell Access and Elevator Machine Rooms Visit the videos page to watch the clip. I personally want to see it, so maybe other people will go, Cool, somebody got pictures of it up close. With the fence right here, you cant get that close, but with this, I should be able to get pretty close.. Hi Jim, I too have enjoyed your photography work, you have a great eye and the information you provide on the subject matter. (18 Sep 2020). GCU hosted a number of small rodeo events including the Junior Rodeo and the 1993 All-Arabian Horse Society Spring Show.[34]. definitely keep trying, it is so worth it. 1 John J. Dunnigan. Thats the biggest thing everybody says, youre almost home. Soar over the Trotting Park with amazing aerial drone videos sent in by readers, plus other clips. GOODYEAR, Ariz It was built 50 years too soon. The place was absolutely gigantic. View our extensive collection of historical and modern-day images, including rare construction photos. Demolition Zone Ahead. (27 Mar 1994). Speaking of which, there is a new one out in Construction Equipment Guide, please take a look: OCT 10, 2017 - CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT GUIDE - Demolition Under Way on Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park. High 56F. there, there is a bridge type thing that leads right to it. (27 Sep 2010). A recent update to the Colliers listing shows that of the 194 acre site, the 138.85 acre "Grandstand and surrounding parcels" is in escrow with a buyer. April 14, 2017 - A third person has now sent me a drone flyover video of the trotting track, and it's one of the best I've seen yet! It was built in 1964 for $9.5 million, more than $6 million over budget, to house spectators during harness races. We are now parked in that RV park in back of the Phoenix Trotting Park. There wasn't much down there, just a lot of open space and a few random fixtures. The plan was to build a grandstand with a capacity of 5,400 spectators. In January 1965, the Phoenix Trotting Park, a harness racing track, opened. November 21, 2016 - Huge thanks to Gary Oglesby for sending in his drone footage of the Trotting Park. Until it was demolished in 2017 (huge bummer, we know), the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear was in the latter category. Its kind of sad to see it go.. (Nov-Dec 1956). 1. The current Interstate 10 passes north of the site. Thank you for following my adventures! [2] Associate architect was Victor Gruen Associates of Los Angeles. He was flying a drone into the demolition area after workers had left for the day. Im going to get some good shots, good memories, Machuca said. The large, futuristically designed structure gave an optimistic look for the 1960s. 67, Issue 14. 11 Sport: $100,000,000 Turnover?. Trucks which transport the mix to the site were equipped with water spray devices to cool the drums containing the concrete while they were being hauled to the point of use. He lost both the Phoenix Trotting Park and Buffalo Raceway, which he sold to the Sportservice Corporation in 1966. June 17, 2018 - With the Phoenix Trotting Park now demolished, the land has been listed again with Colliers, this time for $24 million. September 6, 2021 - I have gone through the site and fixed a number of broken and dead links. There are a number of reasons why the Trotting Park was unsuccessful: After racing was suspended in late 1966, the building's equipment was removed by the Delaware North corporation for use at their other racetracks. The track was listed for sale in January of 2016 for $16.5 million dollars for a 194-acre parcel. Harness Racing Update March 28, 2014 by Dean A. Hoffman. You and your brother are going to have an awesome time exploring Phoenix Trotting Park. The Colossal Ruins of Phoenix Trotting Park . Berlin. And with the exception of a brief use for a movie, the property had sat abandoned since its closure. It has to be one of the most amazing places to explore in az that I know about! Dunnigan was able to drum up some financing from his trotting buddies in New York, including Norman S. Woolworth (a relative of the wealthy J.W. )Trotting Park is really a trip( enjoyed your great photos! The building has since sat empty, and has fallen into disrepair. Big thanks to Scott Elder for sharing this video with us. -Zack b. Its kind of sad.. The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park. The first season was scheduled to have 60 nights of racing. Thanks so much! Someone had left cans of spray paint sitting out. 19 Hoffman, Dean A. September 7, 2016 - We are saddened to announce the passing of James J. Dunnigan Jr. Also added a few new letters from readers. Im sure a lot of people will be interested in seeing it up close, from the air, Machuca said. 26 Whiting, Brent. Take a look at how the massive building was left to decay in the elements, and admire its oddly beautiful mystique: Check out the official website, which still operates, to learn more about the Phoenix Trotting Park. I returned to the ground level and did a little more exploring. The grandstand of Phoenix Trotting Park is enormous. The track's existence was a direct result of the passage of the "Pari-mutuel Revenue Law" of 1940,[11] which was largely influenced by Senator John Dunnigan. Named the Goodyear Innovation Centre, plans have been approved by Goodyear City Council as of December 2020.[33]. 1965 Season Jan 12, 1965 - Opening Night Spring 1965 (?) Following the demolition of the grandstand in 2018, the seller has increased the asking price of the land by $7.5 million from the previous listing two years ago. I've been using the Sony RX100M3. May 14, 2017 - Couple of site fixes and upgrades today. November 1, 2016 - I have added a new page of fan mail and letters from readers about the Trotting Park. (14 Apr 1983). 12 Buffalo Raceway. Bronx County, NY - Online Biographies. Because of the high summer temperatures, special precautions were taken in the preparation and curing of the concrete. It closed in 1966 and was eventually demolished in 2017. Man Injured in Fall at Goodyear Trotting Park. The track was a success right from the start, and James managed the track for twenty-five years, during which time he became greatly experienced in the world of harness racing. So glad you captured this. From the roof I enjoyed some great views of different sections of the structure. Search from Phoenix Trotting Park stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. January 14, 2016 - HUGE NEWS!!! Uh oh.. AZBEX. The horses belonged to Ron and Arla Delver, who told the StarPhoenix earlier this month that two horses were found dead on Dec. 14 and two more were found on Dec. 21 on summer pasture land. The industrial buildings are expected to begin going up in late summer or early fall. Will be content with your great pictures. Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step. It was visible from the I-10 and became a popular destination for urban exploration until security guards were installed at the property. As you can probably imagine, there were no takers - after all, that's quite a steep price for what was essentially the bare bones of a building that, by that time, had been ravaged by vandals. Commercial Property Executive. Racing continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s while many renovations and improvements kept the track up to modern standards. Cool! Read his Obituary and this article about his life (link no longer valid) from HarnessRacing.com. 4 Harness Racing Hall of Fame: James J. Dunnigan, Sr.. (2016). Farmer Construction Co., Inc. Russian held trotting race and black market traders . The story behind the abandoned structures. West Valley View. Built in 1964, the Phoenix Trotting Park was actually located in Goodyear, Arizona. You have permission to edit this article. (10 Oct 2011). 0:00. Following the demolition of the grandstand in 2018, the seller has increased the asking price of the land by $7.5 million from the previous listing two years ago. 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